XCAN Day 69. To L’Anse-A-Valle

Distance:          100.7
Time:                4:27
Elevation:        1499 M
Weather:           Perfect. Sunny but not too hot and a bit of tailwind.
Bathroom:        5
Flats:                0

After our rest day yesterday we were anticipating some good climbs today but not really at the grades that we had. We had about 30 km of nice riding beside the ocean with some amazing rock formations

and then it happened. Our first big hill today was about 4.5 km of 13-14% grade interspersed with a mellow 8% for the other 4 km.   Made for an interesting day as you never knew what was coming next.   And when you go up...of course you have to go down. I must say the ups were much easier as the 14% downhill grades with funky shoulders and shadows that make it hard to see the road made for some big breaking sessions.   Then when you get close to the bottom you let er go, pick up some speed and think you can coast up the next hill a bit, but it goes from 0-11% in a flash and you have just enough time to gear down and grind up the hill!  But like I said, it made it fun, interesting and a challenge.

But the views and villages.

We were talking and it seems like everyone has so much pride in their house and yards which makes the little towns so pretty.

And every little cove has some kind of settlement in it.   Also there are lots of rest areas and viewpoints to stop at.

Greg was able to pull over in Grande-Vallee and meet me for a snack and coffee. While we were there we met a nice couple from Montreal who had 2 weeks to ride the Gaspé. Super nice and enjoyable to talk to.  We told them where we were going so they ended up at the same campsite last night so had time to talk a bit more.   I totally forgot to get their email address so feel bad about that.   Nancy and Dave stopped at the restaurant as well so the 6 bikers were filling up the front area.

After the break we continued on to our campsite. We went inland quite a ways and around some nice little lakes so the views changed a bit.  More trees and definitely hillier. Very green.

Arrived at the campsite after climbing our last big hill of the day.  The campsite overlooked the little town below.  

After our climbing day we needed a cold drink so Greg headed off looking for ice. He had to go 9km down the road to the third town over to get it. What a guy!  But nothing beats an ice cold drink after that hilly ride.
 Sat on the sun for the afternoon. Nancy and Dave made some mean burgers and Yam fries for dinner.  Yum. And then the usual night routine. Read and sleep!!

And that’s a wrap for day 69!!!   Heidi